HVAC system including smart diagnostic capabilities

ABSTRACT

A system for remote diagnostic analysis of a heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system is provided. The system includes a thermostat in operable communication with at least one peripheral component of the HVAC system and configured to receive information relating to the at least one peripheral component, and a server in operable communication with the thermostat for receiving and analyzing the information. The server causes the at least one peripheral component to conduct a diagnostic test and analyzes the test result to perform a root cause analysis of a system malfunction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/848,250, filed on Dec. 20, 2017, entitled: HVAC SYSTEMINCLUDING SMART DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES, the content of which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure generally relates to a heating, ventilation andair conditioning (HVAC) system, and more particularly, to an HVAC systemincluding smart diagnostic capabilities.

Description of the Related Art

HVAC systems which regulate environmental conditions within an enclosedarea of a commercial building (or residential home) are known.Residential HVAC systems are typically controlled by a thermostat, e.g.,a smart thermostat. With respect to commercial buildings, the HVACsystems are typically controlled by a building automation system (BAS)or HVAC equipment control system. The thermostat or BAS can also be usedto control security, lighting, power, etc. of the building.

Conventional BASs and/or thermostats can be configured to monitor astatus of connected HVAC peripherals (e.g., an indoor unit and/or anoutdoor unit, or parts thereof) to determine if the HVAC peripherals areworking properly (or if they are faulty).

Currently, diagnosis of HVAC faults can be determined once a fault isreported at or from the HVAC peripherals. These faults can be a resultof faulty sensors, undesirable and extreme environmental conditions,communication loss (e.g., loss of connectivity between one or more ofthe HVAC peripherals, the thermostat or the BAS), etc. While some of thefaults can be predicted prior to occurring through continuous monitoringof the various operating parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.)of the HVAC system, most of them cannot and can only be determined aftertheir occurrence.

Some of the faults can be resolved through software (or firmware)provided in the thermostat, the BAS, the HVAC peripherals, and do notrequire on-field service by a technician, but some of the faults mayrequire diagnostic tests that need to be conducted by the technician todetermine a root cause of the fault. Typically, such diagnostic testsrequire the technician to be physically present at the location of theHVAC system, so that the diagnostic test can be performed and the rootcause of the fault determined; sometimes a second visit by technicianmay be necessary if they are not equipped with the required equipment orlack the replacement parts to fix the cause of the fault.

While the aforementioned thermostats and/or BASs are suitable forproviding a status of the peripheral components, such thermostats and/orBASs do not include smart diagnostic capabilities that would allow thethermostat and/or the BAS to perform a diagnostic test of the faultyHVAC peripherals, and subsequently notify a technician if their serviceis required.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to address the above problems anddisadvantages, and to provide at least the advantages described below.Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure provides an HVAC systemincluding a thermostat that is in operable communication with a serverthat is configured to perform a diagnostic test of one or more faultyperipheral components of the HVAC system, thereby providing thetechnician with the necessary information to correct the fault, prior tothe technician arriving at the HVAC system location.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a system configured for remote diagnostic analysis of aheating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system. The systemincludes a thermostat in operable communication with at least oneperipheral component (which can be a part of one of an indoor unit andan outdoor unit of the HVAC system) of the HVAC system and configured toreceive information relating to the at least one peripheral componentand a server in operable communication with the thermostat for receivingand analyzing the information.

The server can analyze the received information using diagnostic testlogic included in a module of the thermostat, or the server can analyzethe received information using diagnostic test logic included in amodule of the server.

The server can send a control signal to the thermostat to perform adiagnostic test of the at least one peripheral component, and when aresult of the diagnostic test indicates that the at least one peripheralcomponent is faulty, transmit a notification signal to a technician. Thenotification signal can include one of information relating to a rootcause analysis of the faulty at least one peripheral component, probablesolutions to correct the faulty at least one peripheral component, andequipment required to fix the faulty at least one peripheral component.

The server can perform a system lockout of the HVAC system when it isdetermined that there is a likelihood that continued operation of thefaulty at least one peripheral component can cause damage to at leastone other peripheral component of the HVAC system. When connectivitybetween the server and the thermostat is lost for a predetermined amountof time, a notification signal can be sent from the server to one of auser of the HVAC system and a technician.

The server can further be configured to communicate directly with the atleast one peripheral component for receiving and analyzing theinformation, analyzing the received information using diagnostic testlogic included in a module of the at least one peripheral component,sending a control signal to the at least one peripheral component toperform a diagnostic test thereof, and when a result of the diagnostictest indicates that the at least one peripheral component is faulty,transmitting a notification signal to a technician, and whenconnectivity between the server and the at least one peripheralcomponent is lost for a predetermined amount of time, sending anotification signal to one of a user of the HVAC system and thetechnician.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method for remote diagnostic analysis of a heating,ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system. The method includesreceiving, information relating to at least one peripheral component(which can be a part of one of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of theHVAC system), at a thermostat in operable communication therewith andreceiving and analyzing the information at a server in operablecommunication with the thermostat.

Analyzing the received information can include using diagnostic testlogic included in a module of the thermostat, or analyzing the receivedinformation can include using diagnostic test logic included in a moduleof the server.

The method can include sending a control signal from the server to thethermostat to perform a diagnostic test of the at least one peripheralcomponent, and when a result of the diagnostic test indicates that theat least one peripheral component is faulty, transmitting a notificationsignal to a technician. The notification signal can include one ofinformation relating to a root cause analysis of the faulty at least oneperipheral component, probable solutions to correct the faulty at leastone peripheral component, and equipment required to fix the faulty atleast one peripheral component.

The method can include performing, by the server, a system lockout ofthe HVAC system when it is determined that there is a likelihood thatcontinued operation of the faulty at least one peripheral component cancause damage to at least one other peripheral component of the HVACsystem.

The method can include, when connectivity between the server and thethermostat is lost for a predetermined amount of time, sending anotification signal from the server to one of a user of the HVAC systemand a technician.

The method can include, when the server is configured to communicatedirectly with the at least one peripheral component, analyzing thereceived information using diagnostic test logic included in a module ofthe at least one peripheral component, sending a control signal to theat least one peripheral component to perform a diagnostic test thereof,and when a result of the diagnostic test indicates that the at least oneperipheral component is faulty, transmitting a notification signal to atechnician, and when connectivity between the server and the at leastone peripheral component is lost for a predetermined amount of time,sending a notification signal to one of a user of the HVAC system andthe technician.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a building automation system (BAS) for controlling a heating,ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system. The BAS includes acontroller in operable communication with at least one peripheralcomponent of the HVAC system and configured to receive informationrelating to the at least one peripheral component and a server inoperable communication with the controller for receiving and analyzingthe information. The server can analyze the received information usingdiagnostic test logic included in a module of the controller, or theserver can analyze the received information using diagnostic test logicincluded in a module of the server.

The server can send a control signal to the controller to perform adiagnostic test of the at least one peripheral component, and when aresult of the diagnostic test indicates that the at least one peripheralcomponent is faulty, transmit a notification signal to a technician. Thenotification signal can include one of information relating to a rootcause analysis of the faulty at least one peripheral component, probablesolutions to correct the faulty at least one peripheral component, andequipment required to fix the faulty at least one peripheral component.

The server can perform a system lockout of the HVAC system when it isdetermined that there is a likelihood that continued operation of thefaulty at least one peripheral component can cause damage to at leastone other peripheral component of the HVAC system.

When connectivity between the server and the controller is lost for apredetermined amount of time, a notification signal can be sent from theserver to one of a user of the HVAC system and a technician.

The server can further be configured to communicate directly with the atleast one peripheral component for receiving and analyzing theinformation, analyzing the received information using diagnostic testlogic included in a module of the at least one peripheral component,sending a control signal to the at least one peripheral component toperform a diagnostic test thereof, and when a result of the diagnostictest indicates that the at least one peripheral component is faulty,transmitting a notification signal to a technician, and whenconnectivity between the server and the at least one peripheralcomponent is lost for a predetermined amount of time, sending anotification signal to one of a user of the HVAC system and thetechnician.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention may be more completelyunderstood in consideration of the following detailed description ofvarious embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including a thermostat, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a graphical user interface displayed on thethermostat of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for remote diagnostic analysis of anHVAC system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various aspects of the present disclosure mentioned above aredescribed in further detail with reference to the aforementioned figuresand the following detailed description of embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure aredescribed hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings;however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of thedisclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functionsor constructions and repetitive matter are not described in detail toavoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary or redundantdetail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present disclosure in any appropriatelydetailed structure. In this description, as well as in the drawings,like-referenced numbers represent elements which may perform the same,similar, or equivalent functions. The word “exemplary” is used herein tomean “serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration.” Anyembodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The word“example” may be used interchangeably with the term “exemplary.”

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein in terms offunctional block components and various processing steps. It should beappreciated that such functional blocks configured to perform thespecified functions may be embodied in mechanical devices,electromechanical devices, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/ormodules embodied in a computer. It should be appreciated that theparticular implementations described herein are illustrative of thedisclosure and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit thescope of the present disclosure in any way. One skilled in the art willalso appreciate that, for security reasons, any element of the presentdisclosure may consist of any combination of databases or components ata single location or at multiple locations, wherein each database orsystem includes any of various suitable security features, such asfirewalls, access codes, authentication, encryption, de-encryption,compression, decompression, and/or the like. It should be understoodthat the steps recited herein may be executed in any order and are notlimited to the order presented. Moreover, two or more steps or actionsrecited herein may be performed concurrently.

The systems and methods of the invention can be utilized in aresidential, local or widely distributed HVAC system, from a singlefamily unit or building to an enterprise level, encompassing virtuallyany structure, cluster, campus, and areas therebetween. Systems andmethods for residential and commercial HVAC control are disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/208,773, now U.S. Pat. No.8,050,801, filed Aug. 22, 2005, entitled “Dynamically Extensible andAutomatically Configurable Building Automation System and Architecture”and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/186,715 (U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2016/0370023), filed Jun. 20, 2016, entitled “Fault Detection andDiagnostics System Utilizing Service Personal Feedback for ImprovedAccuracy,” both of which are assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication, and are herein incorporated by reference.

As noted above, smart thermostats and/or BASs do not include smartdiagnostic capabilities that would allow the thermostat and/or the BASto perform a diagnostic test of the faulty HVAC peripherals, andsubsequently notify a technician if their service is required.Accordingly, an HVAC system including a thermostat (or an HVAC systemthat is controlled by a BAS) with smart diagnostic capabilities is nowherein described. For illustrative purposes, the aspects of the presentdisclosure will be described herein with reference to a thermostat.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 10 including a thermostat 12 that is inoperable communication with a server 14 (or portal, e.g., the NEXIA®server portal) via a network 16, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The server 14 also communicates with atechnician (and/or a manufacturer, dealer, etc.) authorized to servicean HVAC system that is controlled by the thermostat 12 via the network16.

The thermostat 12 includes a processor 18 (or controller), a touchscreen 20, a memory 22, a user interface (UI) 24, an HVAC interface 26,and a sensor 28, which monitors one or more peripheral components of anindoor unit 30 a and/or outdoor unit 30 b of the HVAC system, as will bedescribed in greater detail below.

When the processor 18 is a component of a BAS (e.g., used with an HVACsystem operable in a commercial environment), the processor 18 controlsthe overall operation of the HVAC system and can communicate, via awired or wireless interface, with the components of the HVAC system. Forexample, the processor 18 can communicate with the components of theHVAC system using a wireless communication protocol including, withoutlimitation, any variant of IEEE 802.11 (commonly known as WiFi),variants of IEEE 802.15 wireless personal area networking such asBluetooth® and ZWave®, and other wireless standards such as ZigBee® orthe AirFi™ protocol promulgated by Trane International Inc. of Davidson,N.C., USA. Alternatively, the processor 18 can be configured tocommunicate using a wired protocol using dedicated data lines (e.g.,Ethernet), via powerline communication links using, for example, IEEE1901 and/or X10®, or via a dual-band (wireless plus powerline) protocolsuch as the Insteon® protocol.

Likewise, when the processor 18 is a component of an HVAC system used ina residential environment, the processor 18 can control the overalloperation of the HVAC system, via the HVAC interface 26, and can beconfigured for communication with the one or more peripheral componentsvia the network 16 (which may include a LAN and/or the public internet).The HVAC interface 26 may be configured to communicate betweenthermostat 12 and the one or more peripheral components using anycommunications protocol suitable for use with the system. For example,and without limitation, where the indoor unit 30 a, the outdoor unit 30b, and/or furnaces (not explicitly shown) employ single- or dual-speedmotors, HVAC interface 26 may include a 24V switched circuit interfacewhich operates with well-known HVAC color-coded wiring schemes (Rc, Rh,C, Y, W, Y2, W2, G, E, O, V, etc.). Where the indoor unit 30 a and/oroutdoor unit 30 b employ variable-speed motors, HVAC interface 26 mayinclude a digital signaling interface such as, without limitation,CANbus, RS-485, ComfortLink II™, ClimateTalk™, and the like. Inembodiments, HVAC interface 26 may operate using both 24V switchedcircuits and digital signaling protocols to flexibly accommodate anycombination of HVAC equipment. In embodiments, any of the functions ofdata interface 14 may be performed by HVAC interface 26, and vice versa.In embodiments, HVAC interface 26 may be incorporated within datainterface 14.

Additionally or alternatively, the processor 18 can be configured forcommunication with one or more remote devices that are in operablecommunication with the HVAC system via network 16 (which may include aLAN and/or the public internet). The remote device may include, withoutlimitation, a mobile device (smart phone, tablet computer, and the like)and/or the remote server 14 (such as a dealer diagnostic portal, a fuelmarketplace server, a weather data provider, other data providers, andso forth). Furthermore, the processor 18 can be configured tocommunicate using a wide area cellular mobile network using, for exampleand without limitation, a GSM protocol (3G, 4G, LTE etc.), a CDMAprotocol (EV-DO, SV-DO, etc.), and so forth.

The processor 18 can include a data interface module (not shown), whichcan function as a WiFi/AirFi™ hot-spot or wired router to enable theprocessor 18 and/or the components of the HVAC system (e.g., thethermostat 12) or other components (e.g., one or more smart devicesincluding, without limitation, a smart watch, a smart phone, a smarttablet, smart remote, etc.) in operative communication with theprocessor 18 to connect to the network 16 (or the Internet).

The touch screen 20, under the control of the processor 18 and inconjunction with the user interface 24, can display one or moregraphical user interfaces (GUIs) when a fault is detected in the indoorunit 30 a and/or outdoor unit 30 b by the thermostat 12. For example,the touch screen 20 can display a GUI 25, which indicates to a user thatthe fault has been detected, that the server is performing a diagnostictest, the determined faulty peripheral component, and that anotification has been sent to dispatch a technician has (see FIG. 2 ,for example). As can be appreciated, other information can also beprovided in the GUI 25 (and/or other GUIs (not shown) can also be usedto provide additional information). For example, prior to sending thenotification, the GUI 25 (or another GUI) can be displayed requestingconfirmation as to whether the notification should be sent to thetechnician, e.g., when the fault can be fixed by the thermostat 12, theserver 14, or a user.

The HVAC interface 26, under the control of the processor 18 and inconjunction with the sensor 28, can monitor a status of the indoor unit30 a and/or the outdoor unit 30 b including the one or more peripheralcomponents associated therewith. Some peripheral components of theindoor unit 30 b can include, without limitation, a humidifier, ahumidifier pad, an air filter, media filter, a collection cell pad, afilter screen, etc. Some peripheral components of the outdoor unit 30 bcan include, without limitation, a coolant line, an outdoor pressureswitch, an outdoor expansion valve, an outdoor reversing valve, and soforth.

The peripheral components, when faulty, can cause either or both of theindoor unit 30 a and the outdoor unit 30 b to function improperly. Forexample, a fault condition, e.g., a low pressure on the outdoor unit 30b (e.g., an air conditioner or a heat pump unit) can be a result of lowrefrigerant charge, faulty outdoor pressure switch(es), faulty outdoorexpansion valve, faulty outdoor reversing valve, or faulty outdoorcompressor.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 for remote diagnostic analysis ofthe HVAC system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

At step 301, under the control of the processor 18, the HVAC interface26 and sensor 28 of the thermostat 12 can monitor one more of thepreviously described peripheral components of the HVAC system, usingvarious monitoring techniques. For example, it may be determined thatthere is low pressure in the outdoor unit 30 b, a root cause of whichcannot be determined at the thermostat 12.

At step 303, a control signal including the information relating to thedetected fault in the outdoor unit 30 b can be transmitted from thethermostat 12 to the server 14, and an indication of the fault can alsobe displayed in the GUI 25 (FIG. 2 ). The information can include, forexample, a pressure of the coolant line, a voltage or a current readingat test points associated with a particular peripheral component, airflow through a filter, age of the peripheral components, etc.

The server 14 can run a diagnostic test to determine the root cause ofthe low pressure in the outdoor unit 30 b at step 305, and an indicationthat the diagnostic test is being performed can be displayed in the GUI25 (FIG. 2 ). The server 14 can analyze the detected fault in theoutdoor unit 30 b using diagnostic test logic included in a module ofthe thermostat 12, e.g., in a memory of the thermostat 12 (or includedin a module of the outdoor unit 30 b). Alternatively, the server 14 cananalyze the detected fault in the outdoor unit 30 b using diagnostictest logic included in a module (not shown) of the server 14.

If the server 14 determines that the root cause of the fault can befixed by a user, the server 14 can transmit the information needed tocorrect the root cause of the fault to the thermostat 12, which, inturn, can display the information on the GUI 25 to the user. Forexample, if the detected fault was low air flow, and it was determinedby the server 14 that the root cause was caused by a clogged air filter,the thermostat 12 could display the cause of the fault (e.g., “cloggedair filter”) in the GUI 25 to the user.

Conversely, if the server 14 determines that the root cause of the faultcannot be fixed by the user (e.g., a faulty outdoor expansion valve inthe outdoor unit 30 b), the server 14 can send a command signal to thethermostat 12 informing of the root cause of the fault, and anindication of the fault can also be displayed in the GUI 25 (FIG. 2 ).Thereafter, at step 307 the server 14 can send a notification to have atechnician dispatched to fix or replace the faulty component, e.g., theoutdoor expansion valve. The notification can be sent directly to atechnician that is listed in memory of the thermostat 12 (or listed in amemory of the server 14), or the notification can be sent to anauthorized dealer, who can then dispatch the technician.

The notification signal sent to the technician (or dealer) can includeinformation relating to a root cause analysis of the faulty peripheralcomponent, probable solutions to correct the faulty peripheralcomponent, and equipment (e.g., outdoor pressure switch) required to fix(or replace) the faulty peripheral component.

In embodiments, the server 14 can perform a system lockout of the HVACsystem when it is determined that there is a likelihood that continuedoperation of the faulty peripheral component can cause damage to otherperipheral components (e.g., components directly connected to the faultyperipheral component) of the HVAC system or the HVAC system itself. Forexample, if it is determined that the root cause of a fault is a leak ina coolant line in either the indoor unit 30 a or the outdoor unit 30 b,the server 14 can send a lockout signal to the thermostat 12. Thelockout can be a total lockout, which, in turn, can shut down (e.g.,remove power from) the HVAC system. In other instances, a partiallockout may be employed which shuts down affected components whilepermitting other components to continue operating. The partial lockoutmode enables the system to operate with reduced functionality whilepreventing cascading failures. For example, during a “low refrigerantpressure” condition, the partial lockout could disable the compressorand outdoor fan, yet allow the indoor circulator fan to continueoperating to provide some comfort to occupants.

Moreover, if it is determined that connectivity between the server 14and the thermostat 12 is lost for a predetermined amount of time, anotification signal can be sent from the server 14 to the user of theHVAC system and/or the technician (and/or dealer).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,the system 10 including the thermostat 12 (or a controller of the BAS)allows the server 14 to perform a remote diagnostic test on one or moreperipheral components of the HVAC system 10 for determining a root causeof a fault associated therewith. Accordingly, unnecessary service callsto a technician can be reduced (or eliminated) when the root cause of afault can be fixed by a user and/or the server 14, thereby reducing theoverall operating costs of the HVAC system. Additionally, a technicianthat is dispatched to fix a faulty peripheral component will already beprovided with important information that can assist the technician withfixing the faulty peripheral component, such as, for example, specificrepair procedures, a list of any required tools and test equipment, anda list replacement parts that are likely to be needed.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various Figures, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can alsobe made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope ofthe same. For example, while it has been described herein that thethermostat 12 monitors the one or more peripheral components of the HVACsystem, the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, inembodiments, the server 14 can be in direct communication with theindoor unit 30 a and/or outdoor unit 30 b (and/or the peripheralcomponents associated therewith) via one or more the aforementionedwired or wireless interfaces.

In such an embodiment, the server 14 can directly monitor the indoorunit 30 a and/or outdoor unit 30 b and directly receive the informationrelating to the faulty peripheral component of the indoor unit 30 aand/or the outdoor unit 30 b, and can analyze the information usingdiagnostic test logic included in a module of the peripheral component.The server 14 can send a control signal to the peripheral component toperform a diagnostic test thereof, and when a result of the diagnostictest indicates that the peripheral component is faulty, the server 14can transmit a notification signal to the technician, in a manner asdescribed above.

ASPECTS

It is noted that any of aspects 1-27 may be combined with each other inany suitable combination.

Aspect 1. A system configured for remote diagnostic analysis of aheating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system, the systemcomprising: a thermostat in operable communication with at least oneperipheral component of the HVAC system and configured to receiveinformation relating to the at least one peripheral component; and aserver in operable communication with the thermostat for receiving andanalyzing the information.

Aspect 2. The system according to aspect 1, wherein the server analyzesthe received information using diagnostic test logic included in amodule of the thermostat.

Aspect 3. The system according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the serveranalyzes the received information using diagnostic test logic includedin a module of the server.

Aspect 4. The system according to any of aspects 1-3, wherein the serversends a control signal to the thermostat to perform a diagnostic test ofthe at least one peripheral component, and when a result of thediagnostic test indicates that the at least one peripheral component isfaulty, transmitting a notification signal to a technician.

Aspect 5. The system according to any of aspects 1-4, wherein thenotification signal includes one of information relating to a root causeanalysis of the faulty at least one peripheral component, probablesolutions to correct the faulty at least one peripheral component, andequipment required to fix the faulty at least one peripheral component.

Aspect 6. The system according to any of aspects 1-5, wherein the serverperforms a system lockout of the HVAC system when it is determined thatthere is a likelihood that continued operation of the faulty at leastone peripheral component can cause damage to at least one otherperipheral component of the HVAC system.

Aspect 7. The system according to any of aspects 1-6, wherein whenconnectivity between the server and the thermostat is lost for apredetermined amount of time, a notification signal is sent from theserver to one of a user of the HVAC system and a technician.

Aspect 8. The system according to any of aspects 1-7, wherein the serveris further configured to communicate directly with the at least oneperipheral component for: receiving and analyzing the information;analyzing the received information using diagnostic test logic includedin a module of the at least one peripheral component; sending a controlsignal to the at least one peripheral component to perform a diagnostictest thereof, and when a result of the diagnostic test indicates thatthe at least one peripheral component is faulty, transmitting anotification signal to a technician; and when connectivity between theserver and the at least one peripheral component is lost for apredetermined amount of time, sending a notification signal to one of auser of the HVAC system and the technician.

Aspect 9. The system according to any of aspects 1-8, wherein the atleast one peripheral component is a part of one of an indoor unit and anoutdoor unit of the HVAC system.

Aspect 10. A method for remote diagnostic analysis of a heating,ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system, the method comprising:receiving, information relating to at least one peripheral component, ata thermostat in operable communication therewith; and receiving andanalyzing the information at a server in operable communication with thethermostat.

Aspect 11. The method according to aspect 10, wherein analyzing thereceived information includes using diagnostic test logic included in amodule of the thermostat.

Aspect 12. The method according to aspect 10 or 11, wherein analyzingthe received information includes using diagnostic test logic includedin a module of the server.

Aspect 13. The method according to any of aspects 10-12, furthercomprising sending a control signal from the server to the thermostat toperform a diagnostic test of the at least one peripheral component, andwhen a result of the diagnostic test indicates that the at least oneperipheral component is faulty, transmitting a notification signal to atechnician.

Aspect 14. The method according to any of aspects 10-13, wherein thenotification signal includes one of information relating to a root causeanalysis of the faulty at least one peripheral component, probablesolutions to correct the faulty at least one peripheral component, andequipment required to fix the faulty at least one peripheral component.

Aspect 15. The method according to any of aspects 10-14, furthercomprising performing, by the server, a system lockout of the HVACsystem when it is determined that there is a likelihood that continuedoperation of the faulty at least one peripheral component can causedamage to at least one other peripheral component of the HVAC system.

Aspect 16. The method according to any of aspects 10-15, furthercomprising, when connectivity between the server and the thermostat islost for a predetermined amount of time, sending a notification signalfrom the server to one of a user of the HVAC system and a technician.

Aspect 17. The method according to any of aspects 10-16, furthercomprising, when the server is configured to communicate directly withthe at least one peripheral component: analyzing the receivedinformation using diagnostic test logic included in a module of the atleast one peripheral component; sending a control signal to the at leastone peripheral component to perform a diagnostic test thereof, and whena result of the diagnostic test indicates that the at least oneperipheral component is faulty, transmitting a notification signal to atechnician; and when connectivity between the server and the at leastone peripheral component is lost for a predetermined amount of time,sending a notification signal to one of a user of the HVAC system andthe technician.

Aspect 18. The method according to any of aspects 10-17, wherein the atleast one peripheral component is a part of one of an indoor unit and anoutdoor unit of the HVAC system.

Aspect 19. A building automation system (BAS) for controlling a heating,ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system, the BAS comprising: acontroller in operable communication with at least one peripheralcomponent of the HVAC system and configured to receive informationrelating to the at least one peripheral component; and a server inoperable communication with the controller for receiving and analyzingthe information.

Aspect 20. The BAS of according to aspect 19, wherein the serveranalyzes the received information using diagnostic test logic includedin a module of the controller.

Aspect 21. The BAS according to aspect 19 or 20, wherein the serveranalyzes the received information using diagnostic test logic includedin a module of the server.

Aspect 22. The BAS according to any of aspects 19-21, wherein the serversends a control signal to the controller to perform a diagnostic test ofthe at least one peripheral component, and when a result of thediagnostic test indicates that the at least one peripheral component isfaulty, transmitting a notification signal to a technician.

Aspect 23. The BAS according to any of aspects 19-22, wherein thenotification signal includes one of information relating to a root causeanalysis of the faulty at least one peripheral component, probablesolutions to correct the faulty at least one peripheral component, andequipment required to fix the faulty at least one peripheral component.

Aspect 24. The BAS according to any of aspects 19-23, wherein the serverperforms a system lockout of the HVAC system when it is determined thatthere is a likelihood that continued operation of the faulty at leastone peripheral component can cause damage to at least one otherperipheral component of the HVAC system.

Aspect 25. The BAS according to any of aspects 19-24, wherein whenconnectivity between the server and the controller is lost for apredetermined amount of time, a notification signal is sent from theserver to one of a user of the HVAC system and a technician.

Aspect 26. The BAS according to any of aspects 19-25, wherein the serveris further configured to communicate directly with the at least oneperipheral component for: receiving and analyzing the information;analyzing the received information using diagnostic test logic includedin a module of the at least one peripheral component; sending a controlsignal to the at least one peripheral component to perform a diagnostictest thereof, and when a result of the diagnostic test indicates thatthe at least one peripheral component is faulty, transmitting anotification signal to a technician; and when connectivity between theserver and the at least one peripheral component is lost for apredetermined amount of time, sending a notification signal to one of auser of the HVAC system and the technician.

Aspect 27. The BAS according to any of aspects 19-26, wherein the atleast one peripheral component is a part of one of an indoor unit and anoutdoor unit of the HVAC system.

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in variousforms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detailto avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto variously employ the present disclosure in any appropriately detailedstructure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer for remote diagnostic analysis of aheating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that includesHVAC equipment and that is configured to provide conditioned air to anenvironment, the computer comprising digital circuitry configured toimplement a server configured to at least: receive over a network fromthe HVAC system, conditions of at least one of the HVAC system or theenvironment recorded during operation of the HVAC system; perform a rootcause analysis of the conditions to identify a cause of a faultcondition at the HVAC system; make a determination that the cause of thefault condition is fixable or unfixable by a user of the HVAC system;and perform one or more operations to address the cause of the faultcondition based on the determination, the one or more operationsincluding sending a notification to the HVAC system over the network foron-site display to the user, the notification including at least one ofthe fault condition, the cause of the fault condition, or the HVACequipment at the cause of the fault condition, wherein when thedetermination is that the cause of the fault condition is fixable by theuser identify a corrective action to address the cause of the faultcondition, and the notification sent from the computer to the HVACsystem further including an indication of the corrective action.
 2. Thecomputer of claim 1, wherein the HVAC system further includes acontroller in operable communication with the HVAC equipment, andwherein the conditions are received from the controller, and thenotification is sent to the controller for on-site display to the user.3. The computer of claim 1, wherein the conditions are received at thecomputer responsive to the fault condition reported at the HVAC system,and the digital circuitry is configured to implement the server furtherconfigured to receive an indication of the fault condition to cause thecomputer to perform the root cause analysis of the conditions.
 4. Thecomputer of claim 1, wherein the root cause analysis is performed usingdiagnostic test logic located at the HVAC system.
 5. The computer ofclaim 1, wherein the server configured to perform the root causeanalysis includes the server configured to: send a control signal to theHVAC system to cause the HVAC system to perform a diagnostic test;receive a result of the diagnostic test from the HVAC system; andanalyze the result to identify the at least one of the fault conditions,the cause of the fault condition, or the HVAC equipment at the cause ofthe fault condition.
 6. The server configured of claim 1, wherein whenthe determination is that the cause of the fault condition is unfixableby the user, the server configured to perform the one or more operationsfurther includes the server configured to send a second notification todispatch a technician to address the cause, the notification sent fromthe computer to the HVAC system further including an indication of thesecond notification.
 7. The server configured of claim 6, wherein theserver configured to perform the root cause analysis includes the serverconfigured to cause the HVAC system to perform a diagnostic test, andreceiving a result of the diagnostic test from the HVAC system, and thesecond notification to dispatch the technician includes at least aportion of the result of the diagnostic test.
 8. The computer of claim1, wherein the server configured to perform the one or more operationsfurther includes the server configured to send a lockout signal to theHVAC system to cause a lockout of the HVAC system, or only the HVACequipment at the cause of the fault condition.
 9. The computer of claim8, wherein the lockout signal is sent to cause the lockout of only theHVAC equipment at the cause of the fault condition, the HVAC systemenabled to continue operation with reduced functionality.
 10. A methodfor remote diagnostic analysis of a heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) system that includes HVAC equipment and that isconfigured to provide conditioned air to an environment, the methodcomprising at a server computer connected to the HVAC system over anetwork: receiving over a network from the HVAC system, conditions of atleast one of the HVAC system or the environment recorded duringoperation of the HVAC system; performing a root cause analysis of theconditions to identify a cause of a fault condition at the HVAC system;making a determination that the cause of the fault condition is fixableor unfixable by a user of the HVAC system; and performing one or moreoperations to address the cause of the fault condition based on thedetermination, the one or more operations including sending anotification to the HVAC system over the network for on-site display tothe user, the notification including at least one of the faultcondition, the cause of the fault condition, or the HVAC equipment atthe cause of the fault condition, wherein when the determination is thatthe cause of the fault condition is fixable by the user, performing theone or more operations further includes identifying a corrective actionto address the cause of the fault condition, the notification sent fromthe server computer to the HVAC system further including an indicationof the corrective action.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the HVACsystem further includes a controller in operable communication with theHVAC equipment, and wherein the conditions are received from thecontroller, and the notification is sent to the controller for on-sitedisplay to the user.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the conditionsare received at the server computer responsive to the fault conditionreported at the HVAC system, and the method further comprises the servercomputer receiving an indication of the fault condition to cause theserver computer to perform the root cause analysis of the conditions.13. The method of claim 10, wherein the root cause analysis is performedusing diagnostic test logic located at the HVAC system.
 14. The methodof claim 10, wherein performing the root cause analysis includes:sending a control signal to the HVAC system to cause the HVAC system toperform a diagnostic test; receiving a result of the diagnostic testfrom the HVAC system; and analyzing the result to identify the at leastone of the fault condition, the cause of the fault condition, or theHVAC equipment at the cause of the fault condition.
 15. The method ofclaim 10, wherein when the determination is that the cause of the faultcondition is unfixable by the user, performing the one or moreoperations further includes sending a second notification to dispatch atechnician to address the cause, the notification sent from the servercomputer to the HVAC system further including an indication of thesecond notification.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein performing theroot cause analysis includes causing the HVAC system to perform adiagnostic test, and receiving a result of the diagnostic test from theHVAC system, and the second notification to dispatch the technicianincludes at least a portion of the result of the diagnostic test. 17.The method of claim 10, wherein performing the one or more operationsfurther includes sending a lockout signal to the HVAC system to cause alockout of the HVAC system, or only the HVAC equipment at the cause ofthe fault condition.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lockoutsignal is sent to cause the lockout of only the HVAC equipment at thecause of the fault condition, the HVAC system enabled to continueoperation with reduced functionality.